Animal cruelty including hoarding is criminalized statewide under M.G.L. Chapter 272 Section 77. Hoarding triggers welfare investigations and felony charges in severe cases.
M.G.L. Chapter 272 Section 77 makes animal cruelty a felony punishable by up to 7 years in state prison and $5,000 fine for first offense. Animal hoarding is prosecuted under this statute when conditions cause suffering. The PAWS Act (2014) and PAWS II (2018) expanded protections. Veterinarians, social workers, and law enforcement are authorized to report. Convicted hoarders may be barred from owning animals.
Felony: up to 7 years state prison plus $5,000 fine; second offense up to 10 years; mandatory animal forfeiture; ownership ban.
See how Belchertown's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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